Triangles and Tattoos

Today marks the Summer Programmers’ last full day on the New England campus, and they are determined to make the most of their final moments together! 

In their final Euclid class this morning, the students began with Proposition 16, where they saw how, in any triangle, the exterior angle is greater than either of the opposite interior angles — an early insight into angle relationships which underpins much of geometry. With Proposition 29, Euclid’s careful reasoning led them through parallel lines and alternate interior angles, building up to a precise proof of angle equality using his famous fifth postulate. Finally, in Proposition 32, one of the most striking in Book I, students followed the argument showing that the sum of the interior angles of any triangle equals two right angles, a result as beautiful as it is foundational. 

As the groups practiced drawing diagrams and reciting proofs aloud, the class was alive with a shared sense of discovery, marveling at how each proposition built naturally on the last, revealing the coherent order of geometric truth. Students emerged from their classrooms with a burst of excitement — proud to be able to say that each and every one of them had demonstrated one of Euclid's propositions.

After lunch, off to their final class of the Summer Program, where they discussed “Parker’s Back” by Flannery O’Connor, a story of a simple, pleasure-seeking man and his path toward spiritual redemption. Parker is fascinated by the “arabesque of colors” presented by tattoos, and longs to find meaning in them. He is dissatisfied with his efforts however, and only gains satisfaction and fulfillment of that spiritual hunger when he finds his soul itself transformed into that same “perfect arabesque of colors.”

Arrested by the eyes of the stern Byzantine Christ, Parker selects the final tattoo for his bare back, taking Jesus onto his own shoulders. He bears his Lord home on his back, and as he follows the way of the Cross, encounters the same passion He did. Mocked and scourged by his Fundamentalist wife for the “idolatry” of his tattoo, he bleeds with Christ, carries his cross, and finally embraces the identity and vocation of his noble name, “Servant of my God.” Students left their last class, silent and moved by the power of prose and the pervasive presence of Grace in the world. 

So many fun farewell events await this evening, so revisit the Summer Program blog tomorrow to read about their final recreation activities and the much-anticipated dance!